32 And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he said to his disciples, Be seated here while I say a prayer. 33 And he took with him Peter and James and John, and grief and great trouble came on him. 34 And he said to them, My soul is very sad, even to death: be here a little time, and keep watch. 35 And he went forward a little, and falling down on the earth, made request that, if possible, the hour might go from him. 36 And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible to you; take away this cup from me: but even so let not my pleasure, but yours be done. 37 And he came, and saw them sleeping, and said to Peter, Simon, are you sleeping? were you not able to keep watch one hour? 38 Keep watch with prayer, so that you may not be put to the test; the spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is feeble. 39 And again he went away, and said a prayer, using the same words. 40 And again he came and saw them sleeping, because their eyes were very tired; and they had nothing to say in answer. 41 And he came the third time, and said to them, Go on sleeping now and take your rest: it is enough; the hour has come; see, the Son of man is given up into the hands of evil men. 42 Get up, let us be going; see, he who gives me up is near.
43 And straight away, while he was still talking, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great band with swords and sticks, from the chief priests and the scribes and those in authority. 44 Now he who had been false to him had given them a sign, saying, The one to whom I give a kiss, that is he; take him, and get him away safely. 45 And when he had come, he went straight to him and said, Master; and gave him a kiss. 46 And they put their hands on him, and took him. 47 But a certain one of those who were near took out his sword, and gave the servant of the high priest a blow, cutting off his ear. 48 And Jesus said to them, Have you come out as against a thief, with swords and sticks to take me? 49 I was with you every day in the Temple teaching, and you did not take me; but this is done so that the Writings may come true. 50 And they all went away from him in fear.
51 And a certain young man went after him, with only a linen cloth about his body; and they put their hands on him; 52 But he got away unclothed, without the linen cloth.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Mark 14:32-52
Commentary on Mark 14:32-42
(Read Mark 14:32-42)
Christ's sufferings began with the sorest of all, those in his soul. He began to be sorely amazed; words not used in St. Matthew, but very full of meaning. The terrors of God set themselves in array against him, and he allowed him to contemplate them. Never was sorrow like unto his at this time. Now he was made a curse for us; the curses of the law were laid upon him as our Surety. He now tasted death, in all the bitterness of it. This was that fear of which the apostle speaks, the natural fear of pain and death, at which human nature startles. Can we ever entertain favourable, or even slight thoughts of sin, when we see the painful sufferings which sin, though but reckoned to him, brought on the Lord Jesus? Shall that sit light upon our souls, which sat so heavy upon his? Was Christ in such agony for our sins, and shall we never be in agony about them? How should we look upon Him whom we have pierced, and mourn! It becomes us to be exceedingly sorrowful for sin, because He was so, and never to mock at it. Christ, as Man, pleaded, that, if it were possible, his sufferings might pass from him. As Mediator, he submitted to the will of God, saying, Nevertheless, not what I will, but what thou wilt; I bid it welcome. See how the sinful weakness of Christ's disciples returns, and overpowers them. What heavy clogs these bodies of ours are to our souls! But when we see trouble at the door, we should get ready for it. Alas, even believers often look at the Redeemer's sufferings in a drowsy manner, and instead of being ready to die with Christ, they are not even prepared to watch with him one hour.
Commentary on Mark 14:43-52
(Read Mark 14:43-52)
Because Christ appeared not as a temporal prince, but preached repentance, reformation, and a holy life, and directed men's thoughts, and affections, and aims to another world, therefore the Jewish rulers sought to destroy him. Peter wounded one of the band. It is easier to fight for Christ than to die for him. But there is a great difference between faulty disciples and hypocrites. The latter rashly and without thought call Christ Master, and express great affection for him, yet betray him to his enemies. Thus they hasten their own destruction.